Outdoor Education Staff

Patrick BoasOutdoor Education Coordinator:

Patrick joined the Roanoke Parks and Recreation Outdoor Education Staff in June 2013 . Prior to his employment with the City, he spent the last seven years working out at Wilderness Adventure at Eagle Landing as the Director of Operations. Originally from Hollywood, MD, Patrick found his way down to the Blue Ridge Mountains while attending Radford University where he earned his Bachelors in Business and discovered his love for the state of Virginia. When he is not on the “injured list” he can be found Mountain/Road Biking, Kayaking, Rock Climbing and Snowboarding. Other passions include the Parkway Brewery, taking his pup on strolls, and then spending time with his beautiful wife. When asked what his next great adventure will be, he simply replies “It will involve Roller Blades, the Indiana Jones theme song, and my manly beard.”

Christine has been working in the field of Environmental Education for 12 years and holds a Bachelors of Science degree in Wildlife Science from Virginia Tech. Originally from just outside of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Christine was exposed to the great outdoors by her dad through regular hiking and camping trips in the Pocono Mountains. It was Virginia Tech’s reputation for having the best Wildlife Science program on the East Coast that brought Christine to Virginia, and it was the beautiful outdoor world of Roanoke that brought her back after graduation.

Christine joined the Parks and Recreation team in 2005 as the Lead Naturalist at the Discovery Center. She is now responsible for managing the Discovery Center and all the great nature programs and exhibits it has to offer.

Renee PowersTrail Programming and Trail Maintenance Specialist

Renee grew up skiing in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in History at College Misericordia, a small liberal arts school in Northeastern PA and took her love of the outdoors to the University of Maine where she earned a Master’s Degree in Higher Education and Outdoor Recreation. Renee considers herself an avid mountain biker, whitewater kayaker, skier, and rock climber and spends time traveling around the country taking advantage of the outdoor opportunities that abound. She is an American Canoe Association Swift Water Rescue Instructor, an American Mountain Guides Association Single Pitch Instructor, and a Wilderness First Responder. Riley, a lab/black and tan hoonhound mix dog, is her trail companion whether hiking or biking on the local trails or hanging out at a climbing crag. Renee also seeks out singer/songwriter musical acts when they come to town and has a new passion for organic gardening and composting.

Kat AndrewOutdoor Recreation Specialist

Kat started working with Roanoke Parks and Recreation in August 2014 after a 3 year stint as an Outdoor Sales Rep for seven gear and apparel brands, travelling all over the Southeast. She attended the University of North Carolina at Asheville where she studied Environmental Science but more importantly saw her love of the Outdoors bloom. At UNCA she became an Outdoor Trip Leader specializing in whitewater and sea kayaking as well as backpacking. Kat, her boyfriend and their two dogs were drawn to Roanoke for its access to the outdoors and growing outdoor community. When not playing outside for work, Kat enjoys climbing, hiking, running, bike commuting, travelling and cooking tasty vegetarian dishes.